UNIVERSITY VILLAGE — Unpaid taxes closed a popular restaurant/bar that catered to crowds for more than a decade on the UIC campus, state officials said Tuesday.
Morgan's on Maxwell, a University Village bar that drew big crowds for Blackhawks games and other sporting events, closed in October. A sign on the door at Halsted and Maxwell streets still reads: "Morgan's is closed and will not be reopening."
While owners say on Facebook that the bar did not close until the fall, state records show Morgan's on Maxwell's liquor license and tax registration certificate were revoked in July by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission after owners failed to pay owed retailer occupation taxes, according to state spokesman Terry Horstman.
Horstman did not know Tuesday how much was owed, but said that retailer occupation taxes are related to a tavern's purchase of retail liquor. According to records, Morgan's on Maxwell was obligated to make monthly reports to the state of liquor bought through retailers.
A city spokesman deferred all questions about the revoked liquor license to state officials.
Craig and Paul Engberg, who are also partners in Morgan's Thunder Bowl in Mokena, a restaurant and 24-lane bowling alley, were partners in Morgan's on Maxwell. Craig Engberg could not be reached Tuesday at Morgan's Thunder Bowl.
Morgan's on Maxwell rented space in a building owned by the University of Illinois at Chicago. UIC spokesman Bill Burton wouldn't say whether the property was currently for rent, or if the storefront was off the market, pending a contract with another establishment. But large "For Lease" signs are still posted in the windows of the building, which occupies a large spot on a prominent corner of the revamped Maxwell Street area.
"I'm not able to comment on that until we have a signed lease," Burton said.
Realtor Yolanda Valle, who is leasing the property, could not be reached Tuesday. Ald. James Balcer (11th) could not be reached Tuesday.
Morgan's on Maxwell owners promise on their website to reopen in a new location at a later date. The restaurant was featured on "Chicago's Best" Game Day episode in June 2014.
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